Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana (Potato Soup)

This is a scaled down version of the Olive Garden recipe... I have no idea if it is accurate but it tastes like it.
I make some modifications to it..... I use canned potatoes, chicken base (purchase in soup aisle) and like to top with sliced green onions and grated Parmesan cheese.  If I have left-over chicken I toss that in too and it's a complete meal with a loaf of bread or salad.
 

6-8 servings

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1½ tsp crushed red peppers
• 1 large diced white onion
• 4 Tbsp bacon pieces
• 2 tsp garlic puree
• 10 cups water
• 5 cubes of chicken bouillon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
• ¼ of a bunch of kale

1. Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage and the kale, let all heat through and serve. Delicious!

Olive Garden Bruschetta Caprese

SERVES 6 -12

* 2 (6 inch) Boboli pizza crusts
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated

Topping

* 1 1/2 cups Italian plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
* 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
CHILL 2 HOURS

1. Blend all topping ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Just prior to serving, drain to eliminate excess liquid.
2. Let minced garlic soak in 2 tbsp olive oil for 1 hour. Remove minced garlic from oil before use.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with foil. Dribble 1 tbsp garlic oil over each Boboli shell, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 4 to 5 minutes, until hot, but not crisped or dried. Cut each Boboli into 6 wedges.
4. Remove to a serving plate and cover, generously, with the cold tomato/basil topping. Serve immediately.

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)
3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can red kidney beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can great northern beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce1 12-ounce can V-8 juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 pound (1/2 pkg.) ditali pasta

Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat. Drain off most of the fat.

Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour.
About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook the pasta in 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of boiling water over high heat. Cook for 10 minutes or just until pasta is al dente, or slightly tough. Drain.
Add the pasta to the large pot of soup. Simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve.
Serves 8.